A Xoma Ltd. antibody treatment aimed at preventing and treating botulism poisoning — particularly that caused by a biological weapon — is the focus of an early-stage trial sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

The 24-patient Phase I trial at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore will test the safety of XOMA 3AB, the Berkeley-based company’s (NASDAQ: XOMA) most advanced R&D program. It uses three antibodies that when combined neutralize the botulism neurotoxin at very low doses.

The toxin, made by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, is considered as a possible biological weapon that could be used by terrorists. Exposure can cause muscle paralysis and eventually lead to death.

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